“Orphans Learning Crafts”
On the previous article “Schedule – page 5” – I was saying – that I had old “Newspaper Clippings” and this is one of the “BOYS” in their learning craft class with Sister M. Michael.
Sister M. Michael was one of the NUNS – who won the hearts of most of the “ORPHANS” – she was a “FUN” person to be with and – I know that she also liked both of my brothers – very much! I know that my brother Denny visited her when he was living in Illinois – and Sister M. Michael moved back to the Mother House in Wilmette, Illinois.
Sister M. Michael was the NUN who was with the children on the Boys Side Dining Room at Dinner time, twelve-noon. There were three rows of tables – and the first table as you enter the room was assigned to the Porter Family – this row of tables is down and along the inside of the building. Skip the middle row and the third row of tables down and along the outside (front of building) wall – the first table was the McClarren Family table.
Gail Porter was and still is my very good friend – but when we were at St.Vincent’s – we would always have so much to say – and sometimes when Sister Michael wanted silence from everybody – seems that Gail and I would always have so much more to say and would continue talking across the tables which Sister Michael did not like that! “Not at all!” So, one day she said – “You two will still be talking – 40 years after you are both dead and buried!” I got such a “KICK” out of Sister Michael saying that – that I just could never forget her saying that to us. I’m guessing – she just may have been a little upset with – Gail and me?
P.S. Guess Gail and I should know – where each-other plans on being buried? How in the world will – we be able to continue talking? Sometimes – when someone makes a statement like that – that turns out to be true – and all without knowing – what in the world – is – anyone talking about???
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Story No. 1 – Lessons continue
When we went to the “Orphan Home” to live in the middle of October – that meant that we would only be there maybe “FOUR MONTHS” – since the “TWINS” due date was expected to be “FEBRUARY” 1946? So, the time sure seems to be short enough and then we would all be “HOME” together with the new babies? This was not to be, as I will tell you how these types of situations take a different turn in “real” life!
As soon as you come into the “Orphan Home” – you are put with the rest of the children – I, just a little girl was on the “GIRL’s” side of the building and some nice girls give you the up-date as to where you are going when they all are to leave the “PLAY ROOM” – like at meal time – heading for the dining room in a two by two column – having assembled in the correct order and having said prayers for that time of day.
Each child is also assigned some kind of work to do – and my assignment was on the ground floor –Cleaning the sinks in the wash area –wipe down the tile walls with some kind of benzene which gives a real nice shine – mop corridor floor everyday – once a week scrub the floors getting down on your knees –and cleaning the toilets with your bare hand and some old clothes. I was not the only kid doing all these things – but one of about ten kids. The cleaning of the inside of the toilet bowl was the one thing my MOTHER could not understand – why a small child my age had such a job and without protection?
There was only one “VISISTING Sundays” a month and maybe on the second or third visit we had – when my MOTHER ask me “what all do you do there?” I naturally told her about the whole listed above jobs – and when I made mention of the toilet cleaning – she wanted that information as clear as possible – since she would never ask a small child to clean toilets, without proper training and protection against germs? When my Mother got home from the “ORPHANAGE” – she immediately typed a letter to the “CIVIL COURTS” and let them know what kind of work I was doing and that there had to be some changes made! The Courts received that letter Monday and the Courts called the “ORPHANAGE” – and Tuesday morning – we get up at 5:30a.m. – have to be in Chapel at 6:00a.m. – Within that half hour – we go to the wash room – then to the play room where the lockers are with the school uniforms – which we put on and sit at our assigned places at the tables and benches – all of this is done in complete silence.
At just the right time – we assemble two by two’s and wait till ready and there are prayers to be said – then we march out of the play room into the corridor that leads to the chapel. All the girls – first graders, followed by each of the grades and some girls who have graduated from eight grades but have not as yet left the “ORPHAN HOME” – immediately Sister Alvira said, “STOP” and she walks toward me , “MARY ELLEN, what are you telling your Mother about cleaning the toilets”! “You are to be seen and not heard from” “Stop telling lies to your Mother!” She then slaps me back and forth across the mouth – I am crying and trying not to cry – everyone is looking at me the new kid who does not know you cannot tell your parents anything detrimental – especially if it will be reported to the “COURT system!”
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Story No.1 – Lessons to Learn
When your parents request “HELP” from the Church they attend – some help in the care of three small children – since “TWINS” are going to soon arrive at our “house-hold” – ready or not – they are for sure to come! The real problem is that my Mother was a very small bone-type-person and the main concern for her was the three children she already has – were very big babies at birth and for twins, now – she is unable to walk and get around – giving proper attention to the children and a husband that will not support his family.
So, after our family checking out institutions that take care of children – this is the 1940’s and there were not “DAY CARE CENTERS” available like they are today to drop off children? My Aunt Irene Riley, working for her Church – discovered a “HOME” that would accept both boys and girls – and that we could be together at the German St. Vincent Orphan Home. As soon as my Mother was well enough – to make the trip to visit the “HOME” and with the three of us children to get our view – – would we like it or not – we were all taken by automobile, since it was a couple of hour’s trip by bus.
The day we made the trip to visit and take a tour of the “HOME” – was a day to remember forever! The Nun in charge of the “BAKERY” – was baking some of the best smelling stuff – the place smelled so good – you would want to immediately move in and live there forever – You know the terrific good smells you get when you pass a neighborhood Bakery – well how much better the good smells linger all through the three floor building that you almost think – just any minute they will be serving the biggest and best “Turkey Dinner!”
My parents were thinking – ( this is me guessing now) this place smells so good – no matter where you go in the building – this is sure to make our kids feel at home – they will not mind being here for a few, short months – they may not even miss not being at home? My Father was a Chef by trade – and he did most of the cooking – he could have a big meal on the table in short order! He worked so fast and knew just how foods were to be cook and seasoned so well – you could not get a better meal anywhere – than at our house. Our inspection tour even took us to the Bakery and we were given a cookie – and that is what sealed the deal – that this would be the best place for us, temporarily?
How easily – we were fooled – we did go to this “HOME” – only and after all the paper work was completed – my Mother packed all of our clothes and personal toys and things that we could possibly need – but when we got to the “HOME” – all our personal things and clothes were sent to Germany – as the kids in the “HOME” wore uniforms – for each time of the day and weekend. Were we ever fooled – this was not “HOME – like our own HOME” – that we left! We were going to live here till the day we graduated from the eighth grade – no matter what!
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